Injectsense Completes First Successful Human Implant of Ultraminiature Intraocular Pressure Sensor

Injectsense has announced the completion of the first human implant and subsequent wireless IOP measurements using its ultraminiature implantable sensor, which has received FDA breakthrough designation. 

The IOP-Connect system study is being conducted under the leadership of Juan Mura, MD, MHA, at Centro de la Visión in Santiago, Chile. Dr. Mura performed the initial implant procedure, demonstrating the feasibility of the minimally invasive, suture-less delivery method. The implant, which is the size of a grain of rice, allows for the collection of IOP data via an external reader. The successful first implant has paved the way for the ongoing trial, which aims to enroll a total of 20 subjects.

Injectsense says the milestone marks a significant advancement in the field of glaucoma treatment and continuous IOP monitoring.

“From a physician’s perspective, this is a major step toward understanding IOP fluctuations and providing more effective glaucoma treatment,” Dr. Mura said in a company news release. “It’s extremely exciting to have a direct path to an implantable sensor that will provide autonomous measurement 24/7.”

The technology is designed to continuously monitor IOP, providing invaluable data for the management of glaucoma. The continuous monitoring capability offers a more detailed understanding of IOP fluctuations, potentially enabling more precise and personalized treatment plans.

“Although safety is the primary focus of this study, we are also informing our product design to meet the expectations of ophthalmologists across the globe,” said Ariel Cao, President and CEO of Injectsense. “We expect these sensors to be easily delivered in the doctor’s office.”

Following the success of the initial implant, Injectsense said it plans to fine-tune the delivery tool and incorporate the Injectpower SAS solid-state microbattery into the sensor. This will enable autonomous and continuous measurement of IOP from within the eye. The final product platform is envisioned to include “smart glasses” worn by patients for a few minutes each week. These glasses will wirelessly recharge the sensor and securely upload the stored data to a smartphone and cloud, facilitating seamless monitoring and data sharing with healthcare providers, according to Injectsense.